CRT Retailers & Suppliers Retreat Returns to the Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick in September 2023

Over the past few months Steve and Mandy Briars have been in discussion with Alexandra McDonald and Jon Adams regarding the ongoing future of CRT and the Retailers & Suppliers Retreat. It is with real pleasure that it can now be announced that Alexandra and Jon have formed a new company, CRT Events Ltd, to take over the responsibility and running of CRT commencing with the 2023 event which will be held at the Hayes Conference Centre, Alfreton, Derbyshire on Wednesday 6 & Thursday 7 September.

The 2022 Christian Resources Together (CRT) awards will take place on Thursday 13 October at the Christian Resources Exhibition at Sandown Park organised by Steve and Mandy. In 2023 the awards will return as a much-loved part of the CRT event at the Hayes.

Steve comments, “It has been a privilege and honour to support retailers, suppliers and authors over the past twelve years that Mandy and I have been running CRT but now believe it is the right time to handover the responsibility.  We have no doubt that Alexandra and Jon will bring new energy and ideas to the event that will support the trade for years to come. It is mine and Mandy’s intention to continue publishing Together magazine as it enters its tenth year.”

Alexandra and Jon will be reaching out over the next few months to all areas of the Christian publishing, retail and writing industry to ensure that the 2023 event brings the trade back together.  They will retain the best loved bits of the previous events and hope to bring new speakers, innovations and training opportunities to the event to make it even more valuable to take part.

Alexandra said, “I’m delighted to be involved with CRT in 2023 and for the years beyond – the pandemic robbed us of the valuable time we used to spend together at the Hayes in fellowship, so it is a pleasure to be able to play a part in bringing community back to the UK Christian book, music and gift trade.”

Jon said, “Since I have been back on the road this year customers have been constantly asking me when CRT will be back so it is great to be able to definitively announce that it will return.  I am really looking forward to helping put together the new event for 2023 with many of the elements we all know and love.”

Andi Bray, Chair of the BA Christian Booksellers Group comments, “The CRT Retreat is always such a good opportunity to get all sides of our business together, and I’m relieved that we’ll be able to meet again in person next year.  I’m looking forward to helping to make sure that the event is a must-attend feature on everyone’s calendar.”

During this period of transition please contact Alexandra and Jon regarding any aspects of the CRT Retailers and Suppliers Retreat 2023.  For enquiries regarding the CRT Awards 2022 and Together magazine contact Steve Briars at steve@christianresourcestogether.co.uk

Alexandra McDonald was formerly Commercial Director at SPCK Publishing for 11 years, but now is independent and runs the UK/EU sales and marketing for the Baker Publishing Group and can be contacted on alexandra@synergybooksales.co.uk or 0777 616 7261

Jon Adams is the Sales Director at Teal Press Limited, having worked for them for nearly 16 years.  For CRT purposes Jon can be contacted on jonadams999@hotmail.co.uk

Nominate a Book for the 2023 Christianity Today Book Awards

CAROL STREAM, Ill., June 14, 2022 — Christianity Today is calling for submissions for the 2023 Christianity Today Book Awards. The CT Book Awards will be announced in December at ChristianityToday.com. Winners will be featured prominently in the January/February 2023 issue of CT and widely promoted in CT newsletters and on the site. Publishers of the winning books will also have the opportunity to participate in a promotion organized by CT’s marketing team.

AWARD CATEGORIES:

Ada, Mich. (June 14, 2022)—Baker Publishing Group is pleased to announce that they have signed a distribution services agreement with John Wiley & Sons. Effective September 1, 2022, Wiley will distribute Baker Publishing Group titles throughout the United Kingdom and Europe, taking over from Macmillan Distribution. Synergy Book Sales UK, which was founded by Alexandra McDonald, will continue to represent Baker Publishing Group titles in these markets and will work closely with Wiley to ensure that customer accounts and orders are opened and fulfilled in a timely fashion over the changeover period.

Nathan Henrion, Baker’s executive vice president of sales, stated, “We look forward to maximizing the promotion and distribution of our titles throughout these territories as we partner with Wiley and Synergy Books. We believe this alliance will be mutually beneficial for all three organizations and will allow us to better serve the needs of the accounts and ultimately the readers.”

“I am delighted that we have made arrangements to distribute the range of Baker titles in the UK and Europe with Wiley,” stated Alexandra McDonald.  “They are considered highly throughout the book trade as being an efficient and accurate book distribution service, and they will be a great partner to us over the coming years.”

Mark Vandeven, senior director of global distribution and logistics, commented, “Wiley Distribution is delighted to be chosen as Baker Publishing Group’s UK and European distributor. We are excited about partnering with the Baker and Synergy teams by providing exceptional distribution services to support the success of their content and satisfaction of their readers. We look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

• John Wiley & Sons, +44 1243 779777, customer@wiley.com
• Alexandra McDonald, Synergy Book Sales UK Ltd, +44 777 616 7261, alexandra@synergybooksales.co.uk

Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers.

Contact: Karen Steele, (616)676-9185 x100, ksteele@bakerpublishinggroup.com

General Editor Richard Blackaby Shares Experiencing God Book & Study Content Alongside Full Text of Christian Standard Bible (CSB) Translation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 16, 2022) – Holman Bibles announces the CSB Experiencing God Bible will release August 2022 with Dr. Richard Blackaby (son of Dr. Henry Blackaby) as General Editor. This completely revised study Bible combines content from Henry Blackaby’s multi-million selling Experiencing God book and Bible study with a full Bible text, specifically the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation. Originally published in the late 90s in both the New International Version and the New King James Version as the Experiencing God Study Bible, the CSB Experiencing God Bible features updated and revised Experiencing God study and devotional tools with the accurate and readable CSB translation for a new generation wanting to hear from God. www.csbexperiencinggodbible.com

The original Experiencing God book and Bible study was authored by Dr. Henry Blackaby almost 30 years ago and quickly became an international phenomenon. The study promotes a God-centered way of life that helps people know God intimately, recognize God’s voice and understand God’s will. The family of Experiencing God resources now number more than 50, with eight million units sold across all formats and over 75 languages. Richard Blackaby, president of Blackaby Ministries International, presents the best of Experiencing God content alongside the full Biblical text in the CSB Experiencing God Bible. This April, the Experiencing God study is being re-released with new video content that includes Richard and Mike Blackaby, the son and grandson of Henry Blackaby.

“An entire generation has been spiritually formed by Dr. Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God,” says Andy McLean, Publisher, Holman Bible and Reference. “Now Henry’s son, Richard Blackaby, has masterfully updated this life-changing classic for the CSB Experiencing God Bible. A new generation is invited to discover how hearing from God is both simple and deeply formative.”

The CSB Experiencing God Bible features unique design elements, study helps and devotional tools including:

• 66 Book introductions including key theme and setting
• In each of the book of the Bible, the reader is encouraged to consider many aspects of “Encountering God,” “Decisions Awaiting You,” and “Crisis of Belief”
• “God Focus” themes highlight important recurring ideas throughout the Bible
• “Prepare to Meet God” questions highlight important Experiencing God elements
• “Did You Notice?” questions at the end of each chapter review actions, plans, and purposes God has carried as well as potential life adjustments for today’s Christians
• Designed icons throughout identify the seven realities of Experiencing God and two steps of Fresh Encounter found throughout God’s Word
• Brief articles throughout the text explore concepts related to Experiencing God
• Biographies depict how a Bible character experiences God, discovering his purposes and plans for his people
• Book conclusions provide space for recording strategic Spiritual markers in life

Other key features of the CSB Experiencing God Bible include:

• Full-color design
• Two-column text layout
• Words of Jesus in red
• Wide margins with journaling space
• 9.5-point easy-to-read type
• Smyth-sewn durable binding
• Ribbon marker
• Concordance
• Multiple binding options (hardcover, LeatherTouch, genuine leather)
• Multiple color options (charcoal, burnt sienna, burgundy, black)
• Indexed and non-indexed editions
• Presentation page for gift-giving
• Full-color maps

The CSB Experiencing God Bible will be released in the Christian Standard Bible^® (CSB) translation, a translation heralded for its clarity and accuracy. It will also be released in multiple formats including hardcover, LeatherTouch, and genuine leather. www.csbexperiencinggodbible.com

RICHARD BLACKABY earned an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. With his father, Henry Blackaby, he co-authored Experiencing God, Fresh Encounter and numerous other books. Richard has also written Living Out of the Overflow and a forthcoming title, The Ways of God. Richard serves as the president of Blackaby Ministries International (Blackaby.org) and travels internationally speaking on leadership, revival, and God in the marketplace. Socials: Facebook @blackabyministries, Twitter @ExperiencingGod

The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) is a highly trustworthy, faithful translation that is proven to be an optimal blend of accuracy and readability. It’s as literal to the original as possible without sacrificing clarity. The CSB is poised to become the translation that pastors rely on and Bible readers turn to again and again to read and to share with others.

Holman Bibles is the oldest Bible publisher in North America, publishing high quality Bibles and reference resources that are trustworthy, accessible, and useful for the pursuit of lifelong discipleship. Print and digital releases include the She Reads Truth™ Bible, the CSB Tony Evans Study Bible, the Tony Evans Bible Commentary, and the Rainbow Study Bible. Holman Bibles is a subsidiary of B&H Publishing Group.

Media Contact: Jana Muntsinger, 832.247.9308, Jana@mmpublicrelations.com

The CSB Experiencing God Bible
General Editor Dr. Richard Blackaby
Release Date: August 15, 2022 ✦ Page Count: 2,048 ✦ Size: 6.6875 x 9 ✦ Font: 9.5pt
Spine Width: 1.75″ ✦ Rights: Worldwide ✦ BISAC: BIB001050/BIBLES/Christian Standard Bible/Study
Jacketed Hardcover ISBN: 9781087765693, $49.00
Charcoal LeatherTouch ISBN: 9781087765563, $69.99
Indexed Charcoal LeatherTouch ISBN: 9781087765570, $79.99
Burnt Sienna LeatherTouch ISBN: 9781087714189, $69.99
Indexed Burnt Sienna Leather Touch ISBN: 9781087765556, $79.99
Burgundy LeatherTouch ISBN: 9781087765587, $69.99
Indexed Burgundy LeatherTouch ISBN: 9781087765594, $79.99
Black Genuine Leather ISBN: 9781087765617, $89.99
Indexed Black Genuine Leather, ISBN: 9781087765617. $99.99

Contact for interviews or review copies, Jana Muntsinger, MMPR, jana@mmpublicrelations.com, 832-247-9308

(Colorado Springs, CO)—A one-day workshop following the Crisis Publishing Initiative Conference will focus on using digital means to communicate before, during, and after crises.

Workshop participants will learn which social media platforms are used by which countries in order to communicate quickly, accurately, and reliably. Topics will include digital storytelling, how to use video effectively, and how to harness social media to increase engagement.

Christian journalists, editors, publishers, and bloggers from around the world are invited to attend the Crisis Publishing Initiative Conference hosted by Magazine Training International (MTI) in partnership with the Evangelical Press Association. The conference will be held on June 26-29, 2022, followed by the Digital Journalism Workshop on June 30. Both will be held at the the Conference Center of the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

Morgan Lee, a digital media journalist at Christianity Today, is the workshop program host. She is part of the training team of seasoned journalists with broad experience in digital media. Dr. Akosua Frempong, a digital, print, and broadcast media journalist; Melissa Harrison, the senior programs manager for The Media Project; Mallory Rentsch, an illustrator, graphic artist, and designer for Christianity Today; and Katya Yefetova, a professional photographer and co-founder of a podcast for Ukrainian teens and millennials, round out the training team for the Digital Journalism Workshop.

The workshop is a convenient add-on for participants in the Crisis Publishing Initiative Conference, but is also open to registrants who do not attend the conference.

MTI is accepting registrations for the workshop. The registration fee for commuters is $50, registrant’s with a single room for $160 or a shared room for $147 per person.

The registration fee covers overnight accommodations Thursday night, lunch and supper on Thursday, and breakfast on Friday. For commuters, only lunch is included.

The Crisis Publishing Initiative Conference is for Christians in publishing who face the challenge of reporting on catastrophic events and wish to gain knowledge, skills, and resources that will enable them to research, report, and publish responsibly in crisis situations.

The mission of Magazine Training International is to encourage, strengthen, and provide resources to Christian magazines as they seek to build the church and reach their societies for Christ. Over the last 32 years, MTI offered 70 conferences, courses, and seminars in East/Central Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. In addition to courses and conferences, MTI provides online courses and workshops, free e-books, training videos, course manuals in a dozen languages, and other print digital, audio, and audio-visual materials in resource center on MTI’s website.
Media Contact: Sharon Mumper, President, (719) 598-9743, semumper@magazinetraining.com
More information is available on the event website or our website and Facebook.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Kregel Publications is excited to celebrate three winners for the Foreword INDIES Awards for 2021. Roots of Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen won Gold in the Religious Fiction category, Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong won Silver in the General Romance category, and The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady by Sharon J. Mondragón won Bronze in the Religious Fiction category.

Roots of Wood and Stone is a split-time novel about a museum curator and an intriguing diary that leads her to an old woman with Alzheimer’s, and the woman’s grandson, whom she can’t help but fall in love with. Wen’s story reveals the beauty of God’s plan and how our actions produce ripples for generations. Read more or purchase the book here.

Husband Auditions is a quirky romance-comedy about Meri Newberg, the last single woman in her Christian friend group. She’s all but lost hope of ever finding true love until she receives a strange present at a wedding—a 1950s magazine article showing “ways to get a husband”—which, in her desperation, she decides to try out. Read more or purchase the book here.

The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady is a humorous and heartfelt story about a group of women in a prayer shawl ministry. When they’re suddenly forced to move from their comfortable church location to the public mall, they’re confronted with the reality of the people behind their formerly distant prayers, and each must decide what God is really calling them to do. Read more or purchase the book here.

Winners were announced on the Foreword Reviews site. Find the complete list of winners at 2021 Foreword INDIES Winners.

Kregel Publications is an evangelical Christian publisher that aims to develop and distribute—with integrity and excellence—trusted, biblically based resources that lead individuals to know and serve Jesus Christ.

Iron Stream Media is thrilled to have received eight awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.  Awards included five Selah Awards, a Director’s Choice Award, the Yvonne Lehman Award, and a Foundations Award for a book releasing in Feb 2023. We are blessed to have so many authors who have done so well across so many aspects.

SELAH AWARDS

• Messy Hope by Lori Wildenberg ISBN: 978-1563094781
  Third Place, Christian Life
• Puppy Dog Devotions by Michelle Medlock Adams and Wendy Hinote Lanier ISBN: 978-1563094415
  Second Place, Children’s Literature
• The Endling by Deborah Maxey ISBN: 978-1645262640
  First Place, First Novel
• Soul Strong by Lucinda Secrest McDowell, Oasis Audio ISBN: 978-1563093272
  First Place, Audio Books
• Tempest by C. J. Campbell ISBN: 978-1563094460
  First Place, Speculative

DIRECTOR’S CHOICE AWARD

• The Endling by Deborah Maxey ISBN: 978-1645262640
  First Place, Fiction

FOUNDATION AWARD
We are so excited that Ben Randall, publishing as B. F. Randall, won a Foundation Award for Nonpublished Novels: Historical Biblical for his manuscript Between the Lightning and the Thunder. We look forward to helping Ben launching this title in February 2023 under Brookstone Publishing Group.

YVONNE LEHMAN AWARD
We are so happy that Iron Stream Media author and editor Eva Marie Everson was awarded the 2022 Yvonne Lehman Award for helping others answer God’s call to write. Lehman, who passed away in 2021, was a beloved writing coach and founder of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.

Book these authors as guest speakers or for book signings by contacting Kim McCulla at kim.mcculla@ironstreammedia.com.  Limited supply of giveaway copies available for special events and interviews. Books can also be ordered through your distributor or visit www.newhopepublishers.com.

Iron Stream Media derives its name from Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This sharpening describes the process of discipleship, one to another. Iron Stream Media provides a variety of solutions for churches, missionaries, and nonprofits that include in-depth Bible study curriculum, Christian book publishing, and consultative services. Iron Stream Media is the home of Iron Stream, Iron Steam Fiction, Iron Stream Harambee Press, Iron Stream Kids, Life Bible Study, and Brookstone Publishing Group. Through the popular Life Bible Study and Student Life Bible Study imprints, they also provide web-based, full-year and short-term Bible study teaching plans as well as printed devotionals, Bibles, and discipleship curriculum.

Pensacola, FL, June 1, 2022—The Christian Authors Network (CAN), which serves traditionally published authors, has a new president—Susan Neal RN, MBA, MHS. She is the Director of the Christian Indie Publishing Association and sold over 20,000 copies of her Selah award-winning book, 7 Steps to Get Off Sugar and Carbohydrates. In addition, Susan won first place in the 2020 Christian Author Network (CAN) Marketing Award for Outstanding Broadcast Media.

Susan’s enthusiasm, vitality, and ideas will allow CAN to provide outstanding services and resources to traditionally published authors producing Christian books. CAN will get a new online membership platform (which will include reference guides, checklists, discounts on outside resources, courses, and monthly newsletters), and a new website. Susan plans to add new benefits to CAN’s membership program to help Christian authors get their books into the hands of more readers through savvy marketing in a technological world. Susan states, “I am excited to become the new president of Christian Authors Network. Members will receive their current benefits, a new website, and a membership platform with over 100 new author benefits! I like to learn the search engine optimization tricks and platform algorithms of the large tech sites (Amazon, Google, YouTube, etc.) and teach authors how to meet those platforms’ demands. When you do, you sell more books.”

The previous Christian Authors Network president, Angie Breidenbach, who diligently served this vibrant organization for a decade states, “I’m thrilled to see what Susan Neal can do with her skills and leadership. I will become a member of the new CAN, and president emeritus, but I will no longer be the contact. In fact, I will run a publishing house and an international genealogy school for professional genealogist certification at genealogicalstudies.com.”

The Christian Authors Network website URL and email are: https://christianauthorsnetwork.com/ and contact@christianauthorsnetwork.com

CONTACT: Susan Neal, 850–393–3681, SusanNeal@Bellsouth.net

Ada, Mich. (June 22, 2022)—Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, is pleased to welcome Grace P. Cho to its editorial team. Grace will serve as Senior Editor.

Grace says, “I’m excited to be joining the Revell acquisitions team! I look forward to bringing my voice to the table and cultivating writers whose perspectives and stories will help all of us, as readers and as the church, see and experience a fuller picture of God’s glory here on earth.”

Grace joins Revell with exceptional experience, including an MA from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, her role as an associate pastor, and most recently, her role as an editorial manager and writer for (in)courage, a division of DaySpring.

“Grace adds a valued and needed voice to the acquisitions team at Revell, and a unique set of skills, both-pastoral and editorial,” says Andrea Doering, Editorial Director of Revell. “With a heart for elevating needed voices of color in our market, we’re thrilled to welcome her experiences and insights.”

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, publishes books that help bring the Christian faith to everyday life. Whether through fiction, Christian living, self-help, marriage, family, or youth books, each Revell publication reflects relevance, integrity, and excellence.

Baker Publishing Group publishes high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers.

Contact: Holly Scheevel, (952) 829-2555, hscheevel@bakerpublishinggroup.com

The team at Mountain Brook Ink is happy to announce two Carol Award finalists in the following categories:

• Historical Fiction (Biblical): Rain by Dana McNeely
• Romantic Suspense: Driven by Sara Davison

Our Mountain Brook Fire line is proud to announce that Alyssa Roat has finaled in the Realm Awards in General Fantasy and audio book for Wraithwood, and Bradley Caffee was a dual finalist in the Selah Awards, in First Novel and Speculative Fiction for The Chase.